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New truck plaza – Flying J -coming to Tucumcari

August 12, 2006

By Chelle Delaney:Quay County Sun

By Chelle Delaney
Quay County
The City Commission agreed on Thursday to rezone a section of Mountain Road at Highway 54, so that the Flying J, Inc. could develop a truck plaza on the property.
John McSweeney, project director, of PDG, Inc., a subsidiary of Flying J. Inc., told the commissioners that the project would employ between 70 and 75 individuals and that the plaza would generate income for the city through sales tax revenue.
“It takes between six and seven months to get one of these built, he said after are the necessary permits are granted.
The project’s next permitting step; is to get permission from the state’s Department of Transportation to build entrances and exits on Highway 54.
McSweeney said the project, which will be built on a 30-acre site, represents an investment in Flying J of between $4 and $6 million, including land acquisition.
The company has 185 similar facilities across the country, including one in Amarillo, McSweeney said.
This area of town will, in the near future, become a hub of trucking activity. Across the street from the new Flying J is Love’s, which is also seeking a rezoning from the city , so it can expand its current facility.
In other business before the commission:
• Agreement to pass resolution to back up a request for a loan form the state’s Finance Authority so that the pool can be refurbished. The plans to begin some of the softer phases of construction with a $100,000 grant it received for the project.
Commissioner James Lafferty said he would like the city draw up an agreement with the contractor to do the project in phases until the authority approves the city’s request for a loan.
• Approved the transfer of $5,005 in DWI funds to the Tucumcari Police Department for equipment and law enforcement.
• Approved a change in a leasing agreement with one of its tenants at the Tucumcari Municipal Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration is no longer leasing several rooms, so its rent will be reduced. City Manager Richard Primrose acknowledged that it would be a loss to the city. The FAA still continues to lease some space.
• Discussed the possibility of receiving a grant to take some of the city’s wastewater to areas, such as the city parks and near the cemetery, so that it could be used for irrigation.